Waterford Healing Arts issues Open Call for Artists, Musicians, Writers and Dancers

Waterford Healing Arts issues Open Call for Artists, Musicians, Writers and Dancers

Waterford Healing Arts has issued an Open Call to artists of all art forms, including visual artists, musicians, writers and dance artists, to apply to join its Artist Panel. Artists will be engaged to deliver key Waterford Healing Arts programmes at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and other healthcare settings in Waterford. Further information, including an application form, are available from Waterford Healing Arts wha@hse.ie 051 842664 or www.waterfordhealingarts.com

The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday 28 July at 12 noon.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview / audition, as appropriate.

Waterford Healing Arts (WHA) is Ireland’s leading arts and health programme, providing opportunities for patients, family members and staff to engage in high quality arts experiences at UHW and other healthcare settings. The role of the artist is to deliver inspiring and uplifting arts experiences which are responsive to the needs of patients/ health service users, family members and healthcare staff.

Artists selected for the WHA Artist Panel will be engaged on a freelance basis for a period of two years to deliver key programmes, including, but not limited to:
– Arts Programme in Renal Dialysis (artists, musicians, writers, dance artists)
– Healing Sounds live music programme (musicians)
– Iontas Arts and Mental Health Programme (artists, musicians, writers, dance artists)
– Open Gallery inclusive art viewing programme (visual artists)

Artists, musicians, writers and dance artists interested in applying should have:
– previous experience in delivering participatory/ collaborative arts experiences
– excellent interpersonal skills
– an understanding of, and genuine interest in the role of the arts in healthcare contexts.

In addition, musicians should have:
– a high level of musical competence, performance experience and repertoire, and an ability / willingness to use voice.
Announcing details of the Open Call, Claire Meaney, Director of Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts, said “We are very excited to announce this Open Call and to provide such rich opportunities for artists, musicians, writers and dance artists to work with us. We are a vibrant, forward thinking organisation, delivering arts programmes of the highest quality in healthcare and community contexts, and we see the positive impact of our work every day. We are passionate about what we do, so we’re looking for similarly passionate and dedicated individuals to join our Artist Panel. While we are looking for experienced arts practitioners, additional training will also be provided. This includes induction training, shadowing opportunities, ongoing mentoring and continuous professional development workshops, as well as support from the Réalta/Waterford Healing Arts team.”

Waterford Healing Arts brings arts experiences – music, visual art, creative writing and storytelling – to the bedside of patients at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and other healthcare settings. Core funded by the Arts Council and the HSE, this extensive arts and health programme promotes creativity, connection and discovery and seeks to reduce isolation, anxiety and stress for patients, family members and staff, and is delivered by professional artists in partnership with healthcare professionals. In addition, as part of Réalta, the National Body for Arts + Health in Ireland, Waterford Healing Arts offers its programmes and systems as examples of good practice, it pilots new ideas and initiatives, and this invaluable experience and insight informs Réalta’s programmes.